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Labour challenges in Ethiopia’s textile and leather industries: no voice, no loyalty, no exit?

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Hardy, Vincent 

Abstract

A state-led industrialization push inspired by the East Asian ‘developmental state’ model is at the centre of Ethiopia’s recent economic success. This model has historically proved potent for achieving rapid industrialization, but the business-state alliance at the heart of the model generally aimed to curb the power of labour. Focusing on textile and leather manufacturing in Ethiopia, this article addresses two questions: are workers capable of extracting gains from the process of industrialization, and have the actions of workers affected global value chain integration in the two industries? Our data shows that opportunities for collective voice among workers are limited. However, workers have expressed their discontent by leaving employers when working conditions fail to meet their expectations. The resulting turnover has generated significant obstacles for local and foreign firms attempting to participate in global value chains. In response, the Ethiopian state and employers implemented a number of measures, including restrictions on emigration and more generous non-wage benefits. Recent research on global value chains and labour highlights how workers are able to influence work practices through individual action. The present article builds on these ideas, but shows that firms and governments have the ability to respond and limit this power.

Description

Keywords

4404 Development Studies, 44 Human Society

Journal Title

African Affairs

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1468-2621
1468-2621

Volume Title

Publisher

Oxford University Press
Sponsorship
Gatsby Charitable Foundation, Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge, the Cambridge Trust, and the Baxter et Alma Ricard Foundation